Hunt for ear attack gang

Part of the man's ear was cut off

A man who lost part of his ear in an unprovoked attack by a gang of teenagers is recovering from his ordeal.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the incident in Lochend Road, Edinburgh, on Sunday at 2245 BST.

The 20-year-old victim was set upon after walking by a gang, four boys and one girl, standing near a telephone kiosk.

Because they were blocking the path he deliberately walked onto the road to avoid them.

As he did so, one of the teenagers ran at him and hit him on the back of the head with a chain or something similar.

This would appear to have been an entirely motiveless attack as a result of which the victim will have to undergo corrective surgery to his ear

Police spokeswoman

The victim ran away and was chased for a short distance by the gang.

He made it home, called the police and was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Staff who examined the man found he had lost a piece of tissue, measuring 3cm x 3cm, from the bottom of his right ear and had a cut on the back of his neck.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokeswoman said: "This would appear to have been an entirely motiveless attack as a result of which the victim will have to undergo corrective surgery to his ear.

Chain used

"Although only one of the group carried out the attack, the others in the group remain equally responsibly as they did nothing to help the victim or stop the attacker.

"We would urge anyone who witnessed the attack or has information as to the identity of the culprit to contact us."

The boy carrying the chain was described as white, 17 to 18 years old, of medium build and 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall.

The other three boys were white and 17 or 18 years old.

The girl involved was aged 16 to 17 years old, 5ft 2in to 5ft 4in tall, of slim build with long dark straight hair in a pony tail.